If you haven't heard already, a handful of media outlets published a story about a giant rat found in Hampshire just before Christmas. The rat appeared to be one of the biggest on record with a head-to-tail measurement of some 20 inches. This giant rat is a perfect illustration of why we do pest control in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Reading, and elsewhere.
Rodent control is something we handle throughout the year. However, the winter months are more active due to cold weather and dwindling food supplies driving rats and mice closer to residential structures. To find rodents in and around Wiltshire and Hampshire homes this time of year is not unusual. Finding one so large is.
The Hampshire Rat
The Daily Mail reported that the 48-year-old pest control expert who found the giant rat was just as surprised by it as anyone else would be. He was doing a domestic job in New Alresford when he came upon the rodent in the customer's garden. He believes his find constitutes the largest rat ever discovered in Britain. Whether or not that's true, his prize catch follows the discovery of a 19-inch rat in Dorset earlier this year.
Why Rats Are Getting So Big
Finding a 20-inch rat might be unusual, but it does not surprise us here at Control Services. We've seen rats growing in size for the last several years. There are a number of reasons we believe this to be the case. First is the fact that rodent biology is rather adept at adapting to the chemical agents used to kill them. It's no longer surprising to find rats completely unaffected by over-the-counter poisons.
Another thing to consider is that Britain is becoming an increasingly messy place to live. Rubbish bins are not being emptied and people are more willing than ever before to leave rubbish lying about. We are just becoming a messier society all the way around. That means more food for rats to get fat on.
Finally, tight budgets are leaving local councils very little money to devote to pest control. And unfortunately, there are not enough pest control companies like Control Services to handle the demand. Without a greater concentration of public funds, some of Britain's largest cities and towns will fall further behind in the battle against rodents.
Call Us for Rodent Control
We urge you not to try handling a rodent problem yourself. If you have seen one or two rats on your property, it's a good bet there are plenty more you're not seeing. Your best option is to contact Control Services. We will dispatch a technician to your location to offer a complete evaluation and a plan for remediation.
We are experts in pest control in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, and Reading. We have the tools, experience, and knowledge to handle any rodent problem regardless of the size or scope. We will handle it correctly, and we will do it safely.
Sources:
Daily Mail - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5140671/Pest-controller-catches-20-inch-rat-garden.html
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